An affidavit shows he was allegedly upset “unknown vehicles” were following him and for “being constantly ignored by law enforcement.”
VALRICO, Fla. — Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 51-year-old Valrico man after a months-long investigation into nails scattered along South Miller Road in Valrico.
According to the sheriff’s office, Felix Uresti tossed hundreds of nails along South Miller Road in an area between Lithia-Pinecrest and Durant Road over the past five months.
During his first court appearance on Friday, a judge said Uresti was being held on a $16,500 bond. If he is released from jail, he’ll have to wear a GPS monitor and will not be allowed to possess any nails, screws or similar construction materials.
The first report came in on Sept. 11, 2025, when deputies were alerted to nails scattered along South Miller Road and Lithia Center Lane. At least 27 other incidents were reported in the same area.
Investigators say a break in the case came on Jan. 9, 2026, when an anonymous tipster reported that the driver of a white truck was throwing nails into the roadway at Bucknell and Miller Roads and provided video of the incident.
Detectives began monitoring Urest. The affidavit shows he was spotted on Jan. 13 walking south on Miller Road tossing nails from his front shirt pocket onto the roadway. Uresti was later taken into custody.
During a search of his vehicle, deputies reportedly discovered the same roofing nails used in previous locations in a large bucket of nails in the back seat.
According to his arrest affidavit, due to the number of nails recovered and the distance over which they were tossed, Uresti was charged with felony littering, throwing a deadly missile, and felony criminal mischief.
Uresti allegedly told investigators he was upset because he believed “unknown vehicles” were following him and that he was being “constantly ignored by law enforcement.”
If you believe you were impacted by nail damage in the area of Miller Road, please contact detectives at (813) 247-8200
